A concept of criminal justice that attempts to keep substance abuse offenders out of incarceration that has been tried elsewhere is being implemented successfully in Gilmer County. Administered by the Appalachian Judicial Circuit — comprised of Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties — Drug Court and Family Drug Court have been in existence here since 2002.

Operation Sandbox is extending its efforts to assist American soldiers. Founded in November 2004, the Georgia-based nonprofit is dedicated to supporting members of the Armed Forces by sending care packages to those serving overseas. Now the organization is increasing its mission to encompass wounded warriors as well.

Betty Gilreath cried tears of surprise and happiness when she was named the 2015 Ms. Gilmer Nursing Home last Thursday evening. “I feel great about it,” she said after being crowned by last year’s queen, Winnie Scigliano, at the conclusion of the facility’s 38th annual pageant.

Ben
Kiker stated he was “pretty shocked” when he was introduced as the 2014
Citizen of the Year (COTY) during the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce’s 36th
annual gala Saturday, Jan. 31. “I never dreamed of anything like this,” he added, describing how other
COTY recipients are people he has looked up to over the years. “Looking
at that list of renowned people, I certainly didn’t see any karate
instructors on there.”

One of the hardest lessons facing college students is that higher education is not cheap. In addition to rising tuition and fees, the steep price of textbooks is a common financial hurdle associated with pursuing a degree.

Emily Nieves has earned the honor of being named Gilmer High School’s 2015 STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Student, school officials announced Tuesday, Jan. 27. To receive the designation, high school seniors must have the highest score for their school on the three part SAT for one test date, as well as be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students in regards to grade point average for their graduating class.

The Gilmer County Assessors Office is now accepting the following: taxpayer’s returns of real property, business personal property returns, Homestead Exemption applications and conservation use program applications. The deadline for filing is April 1, 2015.

North Georgia RESA employee Tanna Leigh Barnes gets an up-close look at the Congressional Medal of Honor belonging to Ret. Army Lt. Col. Charles Hagemeister, left. Hagemeister, who received the medal in 1968 for heroic actions during a battle in Vietnam’s Binh Dinh Province, was at the educational resource facility Jan. 14 to introduce a new classroom character-building program assembled by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

4/10/2014
The Cartecay River is one of Gilmer County’s finest natural resources. However, access to the river is limited to a few areas. One of the most popular is at Blackberry Falls at the site of the former Stegall Mill. Rafters, tubers, kayakers and fishermen use the area for access to the river, especially during the summer months.

Applications available for First Families Program3/25/2014Local residents are invited to research their family history and join the First Families of Gilmer County program. We are nearing 100 members who have been approved since turning in their applications. There are volunteers in the Gilmer County Library research room each Friday to help you with your records search.

“It’s taken a whole lot of work and a whole lot of manpower,” stated Anne Gray, general manager of the new Christian ministry-minded thrift store that opened in Ellijay’s Springs Plaza Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Mike Pilvinsky was drafted into the Army in 1967 at age 20 and served a year in Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander. He retired in 1991, but then taught Junior ROTC in high school for 19 years. Altogether, he’s worn the uniform for 45 years.

Although his unit in ’Nam was shot at and later became involved in the invasion of Cambodia, he said his toughest day in the service as an Airborne Ranger was on the home front.

Polling All Citizens

Have you had to use a babysitter during the school system’s “snow days”?